Coastal Documentation
is a service designed to assist owners of commercial or pleasure boats in
registering their vessels with the National Vessel Documentation Center.
Documentation is a one time process. Your official documentation number
becomes an integral, permanent part of your boat.

Why
Document Your Boat

For commercial-use
boats, documentation is required to avoid fines.

A documented boat is
easier to sell, buy and/or finance, because its ownership is
incontrovertibly established.

Many lending companies
and individuals require documentation as a condition for financing boat
purchases because documented boats are eligible for a First Preferred
Ships Mortgage, the safest form of security a lender can have on a boat.

Bills of Sale,
Mortgages and other instruments of title are recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center.

When cruising in
foreign territory or U.S. waters, it gives undisputed identity.

It gives authority to
fly the yacht ensign of the U.S.

Why
Hire Coastal Documentation

You would need to
learn the steps, obtain a variety of forms, and take the time to
accomplish the process. Whereas for a single reasonable fee, we will
complete the entire procedure for you.

Speed of response that
allows next day mailing of closing paperwork in normal circumstances. In
extreme circumstances same-day closings are possible

Seventeen years of
experience with all sorts of documentation.

Fully insured for
errors and omissions with Lloyd's of London.

Clear, fair pricing of
each part of the documentation and mortgaging services.

Documentation
Requirements

The vessel owner must
be a US citizen (native born or naturalized) or the owner corporation
must meet Coast Guard citizenship regulations.

The vessel must be a
minimum of 5 net tons displacement by a formula computed by the US Coast
Guard. Usually a boat measuring 25' (LOA) by 8' (beam) by 5' (depth, not
draft) — power or sail — qualifies for documentation.

Documentation
Procedure

Together we fill out
the Documentation Worksheet over the phone

If your boat was built
outside the US and has not ever been documented you must obtain from the
US Customs Service, and send to us, a Customs Consumption Entry form
and, perhaps a removal from foreign registry.

We prepare the various
necessary forms and mail the appropriate ones to you, the seller,
builder, previous owners and lender.

You sign the forms
sent to you and return them to us with the documentation fees.

We assemble the papers
from all parties and file them with the National Vessel Documentation
Center.

You receive your
Certificate of Documentation with instructions for marking your official
number on your boat.